Our History – Old

Organized in 1958, with 71 charter members, Cocoa Presbyterian Church has developed alongside the NASA Space Program.

A wide diversity of individuals and families call it “home” and describe it as a congregation that provides meaningful worship, enlightening studies and enriching opportunities of service and fellowship.

COCOA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY TIMELINE
1957-2014

• December 1, 1957 19 people met in Cocoa to make plans for organizing a Presbyterian Church, US, under leadership of Rev. Augustus Summers.

• January 1, 1958 Rev. Hugh C. Hamilton began as home mission pastor.

• May 4, 1958 Organization of the Cocoa Presbyterian Church by St. Johns Presbytery with 71 Charter members

• 1959 First building – Fellowship Hall completed

• January 1960 Sunday School Annex of three rooms was completed

• 1961 First organ purchased, a Conn Classic

• October 1962 Building #3 (Offices & Pre-School Classes) completed

• 1965 Building #4 (elementary classrooms) completed

• October 3, 1965 Hamilton’s left Cocoa for new church development in Titusville, Florida

• 1965-1966 Rev. John Henderson of Miami, Fl. served as Interim Pastor (3 months)

• December 19, 1965 Rev. Ernest H. Flaniken called as Pastor

• February 13, 1966 Rev. Flaniken‘s first Sunday in pulpit

• October 1967 Planning council elected to begin Sanctuary plans

• Jan. – Aug. 1968 $50,000 building fund drive completed for new Sanctuary

• November 24, 1968 Groundbreaking for new Sanctuary

• October 5, 1969 Dedication of new Sanctuary

• 1973 Gary Coppedge, Louisville Seminary Summer Intern

• Summer 1974 Exchange Pastor, Rev. Alexander (Sandy) McLachlan from Scotland

• October 1975 Extended Ministry Program begun

• 1977 Joe Reggin, University of South Florida, Summer Intern

• 1977 Rogers Organ purchased from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

• 1979 Richard & Marla Myers Summer Interns

• Summer 1979 Exchange Pastor, Rev. Alexander (Sandy) McLachlan from Scotland

• 1980 Elbert Darden, Columbia Seminary, Summer Intern

• 1981 Randy Clayton, Columbia Seminary, Summer Intern

• 1982 Richard Troost, Columbia Seminary, Summer Intern

• 1983-1984 Lynn Holiday, Columbia Seminary, Intern one year

• 1983 Reunion of Presbyterian Church, US and United Presbyterian Church UPCUSA to form the Presbyterian Church (USA)

• 1984-1986 Rev. Dan Sanders-Wooly, Associate Pastor

• 1986 Beth Hutton, Interim worker

• 1988-1992 Rev. G. Richard Troost, Jr., Associate pastor

• May 1, 1988 Paul Hise Scout Lodge dedicated

• 1989 Purchased a Rodgers Organ with the Porter Memorial

• 1991 Purchased and dedicated a midi keyboard in honor of Mary Louise Flaniken, choir Director

• February 3, 1991 Dedication of Fellowship Hall in honor of Rev. Ernest H. & Mary L. Flaniken

• February 16, 1991 Ernest Flaniken retired as pastor of Cocoa Presbyterian Church after 25 years

• May 1, 1991 The Shepherd Program begun

• March 91’-Jan. 92’ Dr. Bill Brown served as Interim Pastor

• March 1, 1992 Welcomed Rev. Charles R. & Mrs. Chris Philips, David, Christy, Abbey & Tim

• May 1992 $200,000 Bond Program for renovation begun

• January 1993 Samick Grand piano dedicated from Roy & Esther Lealman

• Summer 1994 Youth/Christian Education Director Paul Becker

• Summer 1994 Youth/Christian Education Director Angie Waller

• Summer 1995 Sandy Hill, Columbia Seminary, Summer Intern

• January 1996 Building of Jennie McElveen Memorial Library

• July 1996 Welcomed DCE/Youth Director Mark Pardue, wife Jodi and son Jacob

• Sept. 2000-Aug.01’ Dr. Robert Ledbetter served as Interim Pastor

• Sept. 2001-Mar.03’ Rev. Fred Fife served as Interim Pastor

• May 2002 Welcomed Youth Director Peggy Wilson & Music Director Linda Dearborn

• April 1, 2003 Welcomed Dr. Robert M. Wallace, Jr. and wife Sissy

• April 2006 $105,000 Capital Campaign “Celebrating 50 Years…Preparing for the Future”

• 2007 Remodeled Kitchen with Capital Campaign $6,000.00

• July 2007 Director of Programs and Growth, Anne Adams and husband Trell

• 2008 Celebrated a Year-Long 50th Anniversary

• Nov. 1, 2011 Dr. Robert M. Wallace, Jr. retired

• March 1, 2014 Welcomed Rev. Dr. Lucas de Paiva Pina and wife Marta

• Summer 2019 Welcomed Director of Music Sarina Wolfgang and Organist Chandler Myron

• Fall 2020 Launched the new Cocoa Presbyterian Website